Two represent Dominica at Rio Olympics

The two will be representing Dominica at the games. Photo: Getty Images
The two will be representing Dominica at the games. Photo: Getty Images

Two athletes will be representing Dominica at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 5 to 21 August 2016.

Yordanis Durañona García, a Cuban-born triple jumper, will be competing in the men’s triple jump, while Thea LaFond will compete in the women’s triple jump.

Durañona García has represented Dominica in many international competitions including, Central American and Caribbean Championships Morelia, Mexico (1st Triple jump), Commonwealth Games, Pan American Sports Festival, Central American and Caribbean Games, among others.

LaFond has also represented Dominica in many international tournaments.

LaFond will compete in the qualifying round of the women’s triple jump on August 13, while Durañona García will compete in the qualifying round of the men’s triple jump on August 15.

The opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics will take place at 7:00 pm on Friday (today) and can be view live locally on Marpin, channel 35 and Digicel Play, channel 103.

It is unknown how many officials from Dominica will be at the games since there has been no word from the Dominica Olympics Committee.

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88 Comments

  1. bigger
    August 8, 2016

    I can remember Zola Budd a born and bred South African athlette ran for England in the olympic games. You also had Alan Lam South African Grayham Hicks from Zimbabwe,Wilth Slack and many more represented England in cricket so tell me what’s wrong with Dominicans? critisizing every positive things happening in the country “PATHETIC”

  2. Anonymous
    August 8, 2016

    Desperate measures by our Olympic committee, using mercenary athletes that have no hope of wining, just to secure themselves of a comfortable living and foreign travel. These guys at the DOC are not about Dominica development of our sports but all about themselves. Tell us, which Dominican officials went to Rio, with or without their wives, at no expense to themselves? The money they get from ticket sales, allocated to them by the IOC and other fees should be used to help our local athletes. We don’t even have a decent running track. They are just like fleas on a dog’s back.

  3. Quaqua
    August 7, 2016

    All my friends from my country are with you. Including me.

  4. Reasoning
    August 7, 2016

    :mrgreen: This illegal rogues posing as government has done nothing for sports and the youths! They begged the Chinese for a stadium in exchange for their support at international forums like the United Nations,which is only a political move; and economic support for the Chinese economy, as it was not a free as they would have some naive ones believe. The proof is in the Chinese building, meaning jobs for the Chinese economy! The illegal rogues posing as government with a prime mistake, also wanted to score political points and have the naive people votes, as they know that the masses are so gullible that any white elephant will have them bamboozled! Having a stadium does equate to being ready for sports or the Olympics. Having a properly equipped facility with professionally trained coaches and available ready young students from a very early age at every school level. Sports should be a part of the school curriculum taught as a subject,with properly trained sports teachers!

  5. Danziger
    August 6, 2016

    Dominicans you all not easy papa. Don’t forget we have Dominicans all over with foreign PASSPORTS. langue zots toe malpalent, toe meprixant sacré gace passé nous ka passé sur LATERRE.

  6. Flymike
    August 6, 2016

    Good luck to you all and be blessed.

  7. August 6, 2016

    Be proud of our country man. Did you all read the news, while people debating who should or shouldn’t represent us these two people represented us. # 4 out of the 17 top best nation outfit. that’s how the world saw us. be thankful

  8. August 6, 2016

    if the Cuban is not Dominican, those of us with American citizenship not American either.

  9. Athlete
    August 6, 2016

    We do have other Dominicans who would like to represent Dominica too, but too many persons are busy showing off themselves instead of promoting the potentials of our athletes.

  10. Rambler
    August 6, 2016

    You can’t get hold of the Dominica Olympic Committee because there’s poor phone reception on Copa Cabana Beach.

  11. Da
    August 6, 2016

    Congratulations to both of you.
    There are bigger countries than Dominica with the same number. Wish you all luck .

  12. Alice
    August 6, 2016

    We need an Olympic size swimming pool, a gymnasium and track and field stadium. Also suitable coaches. Without those things sports in Dominica will get nowhere.

    • budman
      August 6, 2016

      i love how you say that so casually like this is a big revelation that no one else has spoken about previously. such insight on your part! also i like the way you say it as if those things are the cost of a happy meal.

    • shay
      August 7, 2016

      I won’t say it won’t go anywhere. i would just say it will be limited to just a few sports. So that’s a nice suggestion you give.

  13. Alice
    August 6, 2016

    If we want to get somewhere in sports. Let us try to get an Olympic size swimming pool. A track and field stadium and get our friends the Chinese to get us a gymnasium and coaches. Talent without training and practice will get us nowhere.
    Good luck to our two athletes.

    • August 7, 2016

      Again you are looking for hand out instead of trying to do it for ourselves why do we have to look to others to always give us, it’s time we fend for ourselves .We should be lobbying the Government and especially the Minister of Sports to get off their seat and start doing for our young people they deserve much more than they are getting we need to get our act together .
      Another thing their are a lot of Dominicans athletes in the diaspora who are training as well as study who we can reach out too yet we ignore them for others we got to do better than that, Minister of Sport get your act together pull up your sock for the young people of the Island.

  14. Marguerite
    August 6, 2016

    Congratulations and good luck to the athletes. DOC should create a different opening and closing ceremony outfit for the athletes. Everything cannot be and should not be the Wob.

    Okay, so where are Luan Gabriel and the Boxer (Spicer)? The boxer came on the scene with high hopes of competing in Rio representing Dominica, then just disappeared. Same can be said for Luan, however, from a different standpoint. Luan Gabriel represented Dominica at 2012 Olympics and like everything else Dominican was a tu-show tu-flam. The DOC had a very promising athlete in Luan Gabriel and failed to develop her.

  15. Victoria
    August 6, 2016

    Congratulations to the both of them

  16. Zuma
    August 6, 2016

    It’s a shame from a population of approximately 75’000 more or less inhabitants. Only 2 Athletes can represent the Island and you all are not asking WHY…

    • Mamosa
      August 6, 2016

      Yes we are, but no one is listening. Change Management of DOC, acquire some good coaches and watch sports in Dominica take off. Wake the sleeping useless giants.

    • KIP
      August 7, 2016

      Zuma we are in perpetual denial in Dominica ,see how many thumb down your comment received, they feel offended. Right away we comparing our self with the lowest denominator NEVER the highest. We can never say Well if Jamaica sending a 100 we can send 10 but then again Jamaica is actually doing something for their athlete .Its like we don’t see our greatness.. Year after year raw unknown and undiscovered talent gets washes down the drains in Da but its OK.

    • Dominican
      August 7, 2016

      Zuma, the first requirement is that they must meet qualifying standards and we don’t even have one athlete on island who does that. Sports development in this place is abysmal but we do have a full-time Minister for sports!

  17. Cyrique
    August 5, 2016

    What a proud moment for us to see our flag flying in Brazil!!! I wish both Miss Lafond & Me Garcia God’s blessings & much success in the Olympics. Just seeing these photographs brings a tear of joy to my eyes. God bless DOMINICA

  18. August 5, 2016

    Should Garcia win I would not be able to celebrate it as a Dominica victory. I guess that’s our version of CPL, like St Lucia zook

    • Really
      August 7, 2016

      St.Lucia zouks, the two top performing cricketers were both from St.lucia. Daren Sammy was the most influencial with both bat and ball. Johnson Charles scored the most runs for St.Lucia. Both of them were born and raised in St.Lucia. If it was not for Sammy and Charles they would have not so well. Shane also did well when they played him. Gary Mathurin another St.Lucian played well for Jamaica Tallawahs and should have been drafted for the Zouks.

  19. August 5, 2016

    It’s a real dirty shame on the DOC all the men that self nominated to run that Organizations doing is for them self nothing new. Times like now they in five star hotels with there wife and girlfriend not putting the youth first and having a four year plan. Wait for it Next time we might end up without a person but they will go in hotels and sewo, leaving our youth down. I have been asking what happened to LuAnn Gabriel and Chelsea Linton for 2 years now Mr.DOC you no yourself.

    • MDC
      August 6, 2016

      Chelsey is in the US on an MDC sports scholarship. See recent article on DNO

    • August 7, 2016

      Dominicans and the Government knows the Olympics is on every year but they do not make any effort to recruit the athletes to train and prepare them for the games. Lu Ann and Chelsea brought home medals so why are we not investing in them. Last year when the soccer team went to Canada to play there were a female Dominican who lives in London England who represented Dominica as a wrestler, they can make it with the proper training so let us all do our part.

  20. TJ
    August 5, 2016

    Good luck to you both

  21. Tell the Facts
    August 5, 2016

    Frankly, we must wish them well for participating and competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics on behalf of Dominica. At least Dominica has two representatives and we should be encouraging.
    Dominica’s name and flag will be prominent.
    We thank you for representing Dominica.
    Good luck to both of you. We know you will perform to your utmost.
    Take care of your health while there.
    God bless you, keep you healthy and protect you!

  22. Straight talk
    August 5, 2016

    Good luck too you guys.

  23. Favoured
    August 5, 2016

    It maybe have Chinese Dominicans participating but we probably haven’t been told haha. But all the island’s have succeeded in Sport in one way or the other Bahamas, Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, Cuba, St.Lucia , St Vincent recently Grenada in Kewania James St.Kitts with Kim Collins so we are not only last in economic performance among the OECS and CARICOM but also last in Sport and people down here still shouting Labour Labour and Doc. Skerrit my a….while others concentrate on people development Merritt concentrating Five Star Hotel development what a joker.

    • Favoured
      August 5, 2016

      Over the last sixteen years there has been no serious investment in Sport facilities . We do not have a track and field venue unlike St.Kitts, Grenada , St.Lucia for example. We do not have a public swimming pool and public tennis courts unlike the other islands that’s why every advert you hear on the media is calling on our youth to sewo, fun and frolic for there is nothing else to occupy them. Instead of concentrating at getting our youth to the top Skerrit and his cabal busy selling passports and chasing after five star hotels. So whereas we could be preparing and training of our youth to be competitive on the World stage we have them waiting for jobs as waiters and bell boys at five star hotels such as has been promised at the Morrocan Hotel that can’t finish. With all that Skerrit is still considered king. What a country eh.

  24. Anonymous
    August 5, 2016

    Some people just don’t want to see good happening. They are citizens of Dominica that made something good for themselves because of hard work. If they are skilled why shouldn’t they represent? Yes it would be nice if a Dominica born person could represent but don’t get vex if someone worked hard to earn the position under our citizenship!

  25. Reasoning
    August 5, 2016

    :?: This …….rogues posing as government has been bragging about how much they care about the youths and how much they are doing for sports,but the results are showing otherwise. Dominica used to have much more athletes representing the island before there was a stadium, now only one athlete not to mention the Cuban born. Are we gonna pay any officials or an entourage to accompany just two athletes :?: Shame on this ……..rogue government with a prime mistake, who continues to fail the island and people in all areas!!!

  26. forreal
    August 5, 2016

    how does a Cuban born rep dominica? let’s get this thing straight..this does not make any sense,,is his parents from dominica!! what’s really going on..at the Olympics dominica has a flag,,,a proud one to..so how the hell does a Cuban born defend this flag

    • forreal
      August 6, 2016

      and should he accomplish very highly at the Olympics which country claims the historical factor?this is a pappyshow thing

    • Jayson
      August 8, 2016

      Firstly, you need to undestand what qualifies someone to be dominican…

      • forreal
        August 9, 2016

        hahaha joke of the week,,,what else could qualify to be a Dominican other than birth????

      • Oh Lawd
        August 11, 2016

        But Forreal, it seems you’re a bit ignorant. Please go read it up and don’t ask foolish questions!

  27. Ok
    August 5, 2016

    The man always Dominica even have a Dominican wife Dominicans like to hate why allu couldn’t go

  28. Hmm
    August 5, 2016

    People does just say what they want lol the man living Dominica how long even married a Dominican just be glad Dominica name will be called in Olympics and shut up

  29. Bakes
    August 5, 2016

    To those of you who continue to criticize others who are happy to represent Dominica because they have a parent ot parents from DA. I would like to ask what have you done whilst abroad to support Athletics in Dominica.
    Also if your family or you had a child born outside of DA wanting to represent you would be amongst the first to be praising. So which these guys the best and move on

  30. “Yordanis Durañona García, a Cuban-born triple jumper, will be competing in the men’s triple jump, while Thea LaFond will compete in the women’s triple jump.”

    Once again I am puzzled!

    Here we have a Cuban born representing Dominica; unless this guy is a defector from communist Cuba, and has become an naturalize citizen of Dominica; how, or why on earth can he represent the country in any international competition?

    Was he born to a Dominica mother in Cuba, and now a residence of Dominica, Garcia is not a traditional Dominica surname, unless he is residing in Dominica under Dominica citizenship, he is going to the games as a Cuban, and anybody who wish to call me nasty name feel free to do so, I could care les, (I doh looking for friends oui!)

    Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

  31. Floridian Diaspora
    August 5, 2016

    Good luck to you guys. You will be representing the poorest country with the slowest economy with the biggest passport selling agency in the Caribbean.

  32. Saul
    August 5, 2016

    Are they sure the guy is representing the Commonwealth of Dominica and not the Dominican Republic?

    Because I’m looking at his sports clothes and to me the colours don’t represent our Dominican colours? Unlike Thea’s colours. Her colours represent the colours in the national flag.

  33. Promises galore
    August 5, 2016

    Great News. Best wishes to both athletes. You have already made us proud!!!

  34. The Govt. One Man
    August 5, 2016

    ‘It is unknown how many officials from Dominica will be at the games since there has been no word from the Dominica Olympics Committee.” …… Why is the Dominica Olympic Committee not telling us the truth? Or is it that Dominica News on Line is off track when it comes to the DOC. Another media source, if I can remember well had, Phillip White Treasurer of the DOC travelling as Chef de Mission, President Felix Wilson, Secretary Thomas Dorsette and Coach Godwin Dorsette also travelling. DOC give out the information to all the media houses!!!

    • Righteous
      August 8, 2016

      Not sure what is G Dorsette’s role. He is most likely a representative of the athletics association since he serves as president because reports has it that a Mexican Coach is also with the team. I am assuming that he is Garcia’s coach. A press release by the DOC would have been nice as well. Wilson and the rest of the committee can’t even get the IOC to correct images on their page reflecting images of the DR instead of those of Dominican Athletes. Take a look. https://www.olympic.org/dominica More Dominicans need to get involved and get these clowns out.

      #OLD

  35. UHURU
    August 5, 2016

    How the hell we have foreigners representing Dominica again in the olympics?

    • Mastermind
      August 5, 2016

      Because SADLY, Dominica lack the facilities to develop our youth accordingly!! This …. government making soo much money and while it is being wasted in some places it is needed elsewhere to develop the country and its valuable resources!!

    • Roseau River
      August 5, 2016

      The gentleman is married to a Dominican is my understanding. As such, he is able to represent DA in Rio.

    • Jayson
      August 5, 2016

      Maybe its because foreign born Dominicans are the ones meeting the qualification standards.

    • Floridian Diaspora
      August 5, 2016

      These days no one is a foreigner to Dominica. Did you forget that the whole world are holders of our passports? Soon we’ll be selling them to the aliens in space too when the terrorist start refusing them because of their degraded value

    • Shameless
      August 5, 2016

      Because we can’t produce or own. No proper facilities for athletes to train or national organizations that take this seriously. You can’t take swimmers to battle, zero, glassee or by Screws and then say they qualify for olympics 8) . To each his own my friend as long as you can pay your way in and know the “right” people then you in. If Hussain Bolt was willing to pay for play just maybe he would be running under the parrot flag.

      Always assertive! :twisted:

    • Righteous
      August 5, 2016

      Lafond is a born Dominican and Garcia is a naturalised Dominican by virtue of marriage to a Dominican. Before you make these statements check your facts.

      #OLD

    • August 5, 2016

      Youdanis was Cuban born but is married to a Dominican. When your in-laws love you, love them back.

    • VALUE 4 MONEY
      August 5, 2016

      WHAT DOES WHERE U BORN HAVE TO DO WITH WHAT COUNTRY U REPRESENT IN SPORTS?..SMFH..GET WITH THE PROGRAM DUMMYNICANS….HAVE U SEEN THE JAMAICA FOOTBALL TEAM LATELY?…where was Lennox Lewis born?….where was Monica Seles born? do your research before you come and make such dumb ststements

    • Hmm
      August 5, 2016

      He’s not a foreigner he has been living Dominica for a long time and he’s married to a Dominican don’t just say what u want

    • Laughables fr Mr.Mc Laughing
      August 5, 2016

      SIMPLE TYPO SORRY

    • A. George
      August 5, 2016

      he is married to a Dominican and lives on island with his family… thats good enough for me

      • UHURU
        August 6, 2016

        Any exploitation of Dominica is always good enough for weak minds like yours

    • Elephan
      August 6, 2016

      It’s a nationality clause. They are at liberty to claim allegiance (acquire citizenship :lol: ) to a particular country and are then able to represent them in sporting events. It ruins national pride, in truth, but we need to seriously consider and improve our local athletes’ performance levels in order to get the proper representation we deserve.

    • August 6, 2016

      Well, Dominicans do not want to step up and participate, so a Cuban did. Kudos to them, and good luck. All allu can do is talk shyttt on FB. Go and run nah?

    • Tjebe fort
      August 6, 2016

      How you mean bro. Today we have more foreigners with Dominican citizenship than those of us that have genuine Dominican roots. I bet the Dominica Olympic committee delegation will outnumber “our” athletes. I feel embarrass.

    • Victoria
      August 6, 2016

      Lol because. None of our own want to represent themselves

    • Sams Gutter
      August 6, 2016

      Even the US have foreign born athletes representing them, be realistic.

    • Truthteller
      August 6, 2016

      Because Dominicans can’t do anything right!

  36. silentoney2k
    August 5, 2016

    Congrats to them and I wish them all the best.
    I have one major concern in that since we competed for the first time in 1996 we had five athletes. From then on from 2000 to present only two (2) athletes on each occasions some being wild cards (bye) or special consideration-whatever it is called. We don’t seem to be getting anywhere in sports. What happen to all the Sports Facilities that were promised. Without these facilities, training etc. our athletes will go nowhere. The sports officials and administrators MUST SERIOUSLY look into this.

  37. Righteous
    August 5, 2016

    Congratulations and best of luck to the athletes. Go Team Dominica. This is Dominica’s 7th Olympics Games and thus far, Dominica has had probably 14 Olympians (don’t have the true stats as a couple may have gone twice). In the 7 games, in 1996 Dominica had 6 athletes (5 track and field all who qualified, one was questionable as results may have been falsified) and a swimmer. Since then we have had 3 other athletes who have actually met the qualifying standards. My question is why are the same people who were in charge in 1996 still the ones in charge today with no results. We are not making any progress in spite of the available talent. Grenada, Antigua, St. Lucia and others have enjoyed success in track and field while we remain stagnant despite Dominica being the first small island to win a medal at a World Championship. We can and need to do better. We need better leadership in the DOC and not the cronies who are currently at the helm. #carefortheathletes.

    #OLD

    • Roseau River
      August 5, 2016

      We also need proper facilities to develop the talent within our country. Until this is accomplished, it will be more of the same for decades to come.

    • AHFOUAHDEM,RIGHTEOUS2
      August 5, 2016

      THIS IS TOTALLY FALSE RIGHTEOUS! ,” in 1996 Dominica had 6 athletes (5 track and field all who qualified, one was questionable as results may have been falsified) and a swimmer. Since then we have had 3 other athletes who have actually met the qualifying standards U CERTAINLY LACK INFOR AND FORGOT TO ADD : THE ENTIRE CABINET MINUS ONE KROF IN A GLASS WAS LEFT AS ACTING P.M EDDIE , RON, DODO, THR ON IN THE V.Is, THE ONE WHO LOVE THE BOTTLE( LIKE MOST ;AWYERS) TIM TIM, INSTRUMENTS, THE CHARLES VALLEY GUY ETC ETC REMEMBER WHO WAS LEFT ACTING P.M FOR THE 1ST AND LAST TIME KAKARAT/FILAMBATAM FRANCOIS BARRY.

      • Not an Olympian?
        August 8, 2016

        Which 3 athletes met qualifying standards since 2000? Wow Satan trying to correct sin!

        The only reason Dominica has only had 2 reps is because NO ONE met the qualifying standards.

      • Righteous
        August 9, 2016

        @ Not an Olympian, Chris Llyod and Erison Hurtault both qualified in 2008 that’s why we had 2 male representatives and Erison again qualified in 2012. Garcia has also qualified from his performance last year. So there you have it. The 3 since 2000. We have not had an woman who have met the qualifying standards since Hermin Joseph and Dawn Williams did so in 1996.

        #OLD

  38. Brenda
    August 5, 2016

    All the best to them.

  39. August 5, 2016

    So we don’t have Dominican Born athletes that can represent our flag. When was the last time they set foot on island

    • Green browm
      August 5, 2016

      Thea is Dominican børn. Mother from Mahaut father from Castle Bruce and raised in Canefield. Was home for her grandmothers funeral.

      • Marguerite
        August 6, 2016

        She should have carried the flag!

    • WOW
      August 5, 2016

      And born and raised Dominica is representing Holland in the same Triple Jump

    • VALUE 4 MONEY
      August 5, 2016

      WHAT DOES WHERE U BORN HAVE TO DO WITH WHAT COUNTRY U REPRESENT IN SPORTS?..SMFH..GET WITH THE PROGRAM DUMMYNICANS….HAVE U SEEN THE JAMAICA FOOTBALL TEAM LATELY?…where was Lennox Lewis born?….where was Monica Seles born? do your research before you come and make such dumb ststements

    • Rebeka
      August 5, 2016

      The U.S, England, Canada have many foreign-born athletes representing them. It is not about where you are born but where you are a citizen. Most of us have relatives born in Dominica who are citizens of the US, etc. And that is why the US is great. It offers citizenship to talented foreigners and that enhances their country.. Let us get over ourselves. Please…

  40. WOW
    August 5, 2016

    So we have one foreign born triple jumper representing Dominica while we have a born Dominican representing Holland in triple Jump

    • Chakademus
      August 5, 2016

      Pwaytay cest poo wan.

    • Not a herd followder
      August 6, 2016

      who is the Dominican representing Holland?

      • Marguerite
        August 6, 2016
      • Nonsense
        August 7, 2016

        Fabien Florant and he has my full support. Dominican to the bone.

      • All of that is insignificant, at leas you fail to recognized he may be born in Dominica to a
        Dutch mother. That fact; that he carries a Dutch passport, and not a Dominica Passport should tell you he is a Dutch national by citizenship, he has naturalized as a Dutch citizen, and had every right to represent that country. This is nothing new we see that all time.

        Nevertheless, we have no information on this Cuban born, and what’s his connection to Dominica.

        The Cuban situation is different, we do not know it he is a loan from Castro, to go to the games as a token, for Dominica to be in “ting.”

        Prove to us that the Cuban has roots in Dominica.

  41. Dominica I love
    August 5, 2016

    We wish you both well. Congratulations on making it this far.

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